Centrifugal machine



Oct. 29, 1929. D, JONES 1,733,266

CENTRIFUGAL MACHINE Filed om. 27, 1927 2 sheets-sheet 1 Zll/ Mom/woz Patented Oct. 29, 1929 I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LEO "'JONES, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE SHARPLES SPECIALTY COMPANY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE enrr'rnnsuenr. MACHINE Application -led October 27, 1927. Serial No. 229,020.

@This invention relates to centrifugal machines and particularly to centrifugal machines for the separation of liquids, including semi-liquids, from solids.

In the centrifugal separation of liquids, 1n-

cluding semi-liquids, from solids in a centrifugal rotor by an operation which may be characterized as a straining operatlon as contrasted with separation by subsidence inl an imperforate rotor, the liquid constituent is usually discharged through a plurality of openings in the rotor and the solid constituent is discharged from the rotor at one or more definitepoints or is retained in the rotor. However, in centrifugal machines for the separation of liquids from solids by a straining operation, the liquid passages become clogged with solids and if the solid constituent is continuously discharged from the 30 rotor there is a tendency for the liquid constituent to flow along with the solid constituent without passing through the intended liquid discharge openings of the rotorieven though such liquid discharge openings are not clogged.

It is an object of'my invention to provide a centrifugal machine in which the abovementioned defects of former machines are simply and effectivelyweliminated or minimized. y

I have found that if a centrifugal rotor terial, then the tendency of liquids to avoid passing through the liquid discharge openings of the rotor and to be discharged with the solid constituent, is minimized or eliminated. Thus, in'a centrifugal rotor having substantially circular or square perforations for the discharge of liquid there is considerable tendency for the liquid to avoid passing through such openings and` to discharge with the solid constituents. But, in accordance with my invention, the openings in the rotor for the discharge of liquid are made suiiciently narrow to prevent passage therethrough of particles of such size that they should not pass out with the liquid constituent, and greatly elongated in a direction at right angles to the axis of the rotor, such openings being in some instances a continuous narrow slot extending around the rotor.

Small circular or square liquid discharge yorifices of a centrifugal rotor that are sufiiciently small to hold back solid particles that should not be discharged with the liquid constituents quickly become clogged and there is no available method or mechanism for the prevention of such clogging or for the clearing of such orifices. In accordance with my invention the liquid discharge orices are made sufficiently narrow to prevent solid particles of such size that they should be retained with the solid constituent from being discharged through the openings with the liquid, but such openings are greatly elongated and I provide cleaners which extend into such elongated openings and I provide means for moving such cleaners with respect to the rotor. Thus, in accordance withv my invention, liquid discharge openings of a centrifugal rotor, which are of small enough dimensions to hold hack all particles that should he kept with the solid constituent of the mixture, are kept free of clogging or are cleared if theyr become clogged. In connection with centrifugal machines for the separation of solids from liquids it is common to use some means for moving toward a discharge point the solids that are freed of liquid in the rotor, and it is known to construct the rotor ywith its walls diverging at an angle suficiently great to cause the solids to progress under the action of centrifugal force and to use means for retaining them or controlling the advance of such solids. Helical or spiral plates which move relatively to the bowl constitute a common form of such devices for preventing (or controlling the movement of the solids in the rotor. In 'the practice of my invention the cleaners for the liquid discharge openings may be carried by these devices vention is applicable to centrifugal machines of various types in which a constiuent is discharged through a restricted orifice, regardless of whether there is a solid constituent that is retained'in the rotor or advanced by a means that moves it along or by centrifugal force under the control of a retarding means.

Other and further objects and advantages and features of my invention will appear from the following description of one embodiment thereof.

In the drawings in which I have shown an .illustrative embodiment of my invention with the intention that I shall not be limited thereto,

Fig. 1 is a 'vertical sectional' view, withl parts broken away, ofl one form of centrifugal machine embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view, with parts omitted, of the construction shown in Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a side elevation, with parts omitted, of the construction shown in Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, the rotor A includes a frame consisting of a hub 10 having arms 11 which are 'advantageously'connected together by a rim 12. AThe separating compartment of the rotor consists mainly of a series of rings 13 which areso mounted upon the frame, as by screws 14 that endless annular slots 15 are formed between the successive rings 13. These slots are made with a width sufliciently small to prevent passage Ftherethrough of allvparticles that are to be withdrawn from the liquid, but during rotation of the rotor the liquid will pass therethrough and cannot flow toward either end of the rotor without eventually passing through one of the slots. For practical reasons the rings are cut away as at 16 in order that the liquid will not have to pass through a restricted opening of too great a length and in order to provide larger passages 17 for the flow of liquid. By making short the restricted path through which the liquid passes the cleaning of the liquid passages is facilitated. Liquid discharged through the passages 15 will be collected in the compartment 18 from which it will flow through the spout 19. This compartment may be constructed in any suitable manner.

In order that the rotor may be rotated the hub 10 thereof is connected by key 21 to a hollow shaft 20 that is supported in any suitable bearing 22 and rotated in any suitable manner.

In the construction shown in the drawings means is provided Afor the continuous discharge of solid constituents of the mixture. Thus, there is positioned within the rotora similarly shaped frame or drum 23 provided with a hub 24 that is connected to it by weblike wings 25 between which are passages 26, v

Shaft 27 extends through shaft 20 and is connected by key 28 to hub 24 of member 23.

scribed 'a mixture consisting'of a liquid and l a solid is introduced to the rotor through pipe 33 :and it passes radially outward through passages 26 in hub 24, the wings 25 vimparting rotation to the mixture as it passes radially outward under the action of centrifuto pass toward the inner surface of the rotor and rotation of theshaft 27 with respect to the shaft 20 will cause movement of the. blades 29 with respect to the inner surface of the rotor Iand the helical shape of those blades will cause the solid material to be fed toward the discharge point for solid material which in the construction shown is at the top of the rotor, and the solid material will pass over the auxiliary 'rim 40 and it will be collected in a chamber 41 of suitable construction, only vparts of which are indicated. If the angle of divergence of the walls of the rotor is so 'great that centrifugal force imparts to the solid material a tendency to slide toward its point of discharge, the blades 29 will restrain `Vsuch sliding and relative motion of those blades with respect to the rotor will permit the solid material to advance under control toward its point of discharge.

The relative motion with respect to the rotor of the means for causing or controlling the advance of solids toward their point of discharge, will effect a relative motion of the blades 32 with respect to the rotor and those blades will move in the liquid discharge slots 15 and prevent them from becoming clogged or clear them if they should become clogged.

In a centrifugal machine embodying my invention it is not necessary that the slot cleaners be firmly secured to their support because during rotation of the rotor centrifugal force maintains the cleaners in operative position with respect to the discharge slots. It is only necessary that the cleaners be so constructed that centrifugal force will not threw them out of their support.

While I have described my invention in great detail, and particularly one embodiment thereof, I do not intend that my invention shall be limited 'to such details but that ,it shall include such modifications and variations as fall within the hereunto appended claims. i

. I claim:

1. A centrifugal machine, comprising a rotor mounted for rotation and having walls gal force. Centrifugal force causes the liquid provided with liquid discharge openings, means movable relatively to said rotor during rotation thereof for regulating movement of solids therein, and cleaners for said openings and operated by said regulating means and leaving a major portion of said openings unobstructed.

2. A centrifugal machine, comprising a rotor mounted for rotation and having walls provided with a liquidl discharge opening comprising an elongated slot disposed with its longer dimension at an a-ngle to the axis of rotation, means movable relatively to said rotor during rotation thereof for regulating movement of solidsftherein, and a plate extending into said slot and having a width less than the length of said slot and connected to said regulating means.

3. A centrifugal machine comprising a rotor mounted for rotation and having its walls provided with liquid discharge openings comprising elongated slots, a support within the rotor and mounted for movement relatively thereto during rotation of the rotor, and slot cleaners carried by said 'support and maintained in operative relation with respect to said slots by centrifugalforce.

4. A centrifugal machine, comprising a rotor mounted for rotation and having its wall provided with liquid-discharge openings comprising elongated slots, slot clearing members respectively positioned in said slots and occupying a fraction of the length thereof, and means for moving said members relatively to said rotor during rotation thereof. I

5. A centrifugal machine, comprising a rotor mounted for rotation and having a discharge openingcomprising an elongated slot, a slot clearing member positioned in said slot with its opposed faces adjacent the sides of said slot and leaving the major portion of said slot unobstructed, and means for moving said member relatively to said rotor during rotation thereof.

6. A centrifugal machine, comprising a rotor mounted for rotation and having walls provided with liquid-discharge openings comprising elongated slots, slot clearing members respectively positioned in said slots and each member being shorter than the slot itself in the direction of the length of the slot in which it is positioned, and means fonmovingsaid memberscrelatively to said rotor during rotation thereof.

7. A centrifugal machine, comprising a rotor mounted for rotation andV having discharge openings comprising elongated slots, means having a part movable relatively to said rotor for regulating movement of solids in said rotor, and narrow slot cleaning members carriedA by Said part and extending into said slots and leaving a major portion of the length thereof unobstructed.

.8. A centrifugal machine, comprising a divergingwith respect to the axis of rotation and provlded with elongated liquid-discharge slots disposed at an angle to the direction 1n which said walls diverge, relatively narrow slot cleaning members extending into said slots and leaving a substantial portion of the length thereof unobstructed, and means for moving said members relatively to said rotor during rotation thereof.

9. A centrifugal machine, comprising a rotor mounted for rotation and having walls diverging with respect to the axis of rotation and provided with narrow elongated liquid-discharge slots disposed at an angle to the direction in which said walls diverge, means movable relatively to said rotor for regulating movement of solids along said walls, and slot cleaners extending into said lslots and leaving a major portion of the length thereof unobstructed and being adapted to be moved by said means.

10. A centrifugal machine, comprising a rotor mounted for rotation and having its walls provided with liquid-discharge openings comprising endless slots extending around the wall of the rotor, slot clearing members extending into said slots and leaving a major portion of the length thereof unobstructed, and means for moving said members relatively to said rotor during rotation thereof. Y

1l. A centrifugal machine, comprising a rotor mounted for rotation and comprising a plurality of segments and means holding said segments in lpredetermined spaced relation to provide liquid-discharge openings between said segments, slot clearing members extending into said openings and leaving a major portion thereof, unobstructed, and means for moving said members relatively to said rotor during rotation thereof.

l2. A centrifugal machine, comprising a rotor mounted for rotation and having its walls provided with radially extending liquid-discharge openings, clearing members for said openings and extending radially outward into said openings from points within said rotor and said members leaving a major portion of said openings unobstructed, and means for moving said members in said openings during rotation of said rotor.

In testimony whereof, I have signed kmy name to this specification.

Y- LEO'D. JONES.

rotor mounted for rotation and having walls 

